The Porsche Cayman is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive 2-seat sports car produced by Porsche AG of Germany. First launched in the 2006 model year, the Cayman is a coupé derived from Porsche's second generation Boxster convertible.
Like the Boxster, most Caymans are assembled in Finland for Porsche by Valmet Automotive (the rest are assembled in Zuffenhausen near Stuttgart, Germany).
Porsche's Deputy Chairman, Holger P. Haerter confirmed that their contract with Valmet Automotive will end in 2012, and the Cayman's production will be outsourced to Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik of Graz, Austria. (Panorama, 2008)
The Cayman has been the recipient of a number of awards, including:
* Automobile – All-Star 2007, Best Sports Car 2006 * Car and Driver – One of the 10 Best Cars 2007-2009 * World Car of the Year (WCOTY) – World Performance Car of the Year 2006 * Top Gear – Sports Car of the Year 2005 * Auto Express - Greatest Drives & Best Sporting Car 2007 & 2006 * Frankfurt Motor Show - Autoweek Editors' Best in Show 2005 * Playboy Magazine - Car of the Year 2006 * J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study, Best Compact Premium Sporty Cars 2006 * J.D. Power's Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study, Best Compact Premium Sporty Cars 2007 & 2006 * Wheels Automotive Design Awards, Best Exterior 2006 * Car Plus Magazine Car of the Year Award, Best Sports Car 2006 * Motor Trend, Best Driver's Car 2009
SRS Aerokit SpeedART The Sports CarPorsche Cayman a Sporty and Elegant.
The SRS Aerokit from the German tuning firm SpeedART is a subtle and stylish way to spruce up the Porsche Cayman or Cayman S. Unlike many bodykits which radically alter the appearance and persona of the car - sometimes for the good, but all to often for the bad - the SRS Aerokit is extremley in tune with the overall shape of the Cayman.The aerodynamic modifications include a 3-piece front chin spoiler - which provides additional downforce over the front axle, new deeper sideskirts, and an adjustable rear spoiler which has a distinct racing look to it. SpeedART have certainly taken the 'less is more' approach to design, and it's paid off.
A newly-enlarged 2.9-litre flat-six engine develops 255 bhp in the Boxster and 265 bhp in the Cayman, an increase of 10 and, respectively, 20 bhp over preceding models. The 3.4-litre power unit in the S versions, benefiting from Direct Fuel Injection, now delivers 310 bhp in the Boxster S and 320 bhp in the Cayman S, up by 15 and 25 bhp.
2009 SRS Aerokit SpeedART Porsche Cayman
The new Boxster and Cayman are significantly more fuel-efficient than their predecessors. The new 2.9-litre Boxer engine sips 8.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (combined) – 11 per cent less than the former models with Tiptronic S. Reducing fuel consumption by 16 per cent to 9.2 litres/100 kilometres, the 3.4-litre versions with PDK offer an even greater saving. For the first time, both models are available with a Lights Package featuring bi-xenon headlights, dynamic curve lights and LED daytime driving lights. Replacing the foglamps, these light units are made of four LEDs positioned next to one another on the Boxster, while on the Cayman four LEDs are arranged in round light units like the eyes of a dice.
The Boxster and Cayman are available for the first time with the seven-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, or PDK, which replaces the former Tiptronic S. Equipped with this double-clutch gearbox, the roadster and coupé accelerate to 100 km/h 0.1 seconds faster than with the six-speed manual fitted as standard on all models.
2009 SRS Aerokit SpeedART Porsche Cayman
PDK cars’ acceleration is even more dynamic with one of the optional Sports Chrono Packages featuring Launch Control for maximum acceleration from a standing start, while the Race Track Gearshift Strategy offers the fastest possible shifting on the track. With Launch Control, the respective models accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h another 0.2 seconds faster. (For instance, the Cayman S with PDK and Launch Control accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the base Boxster with its new six-speed manual gearbox completes the same exercise in 5.9 seconds.)A new suspension set-up gives the new models a combination of even greater driving dynamics and enhanced comfort. Steering forces have been further reduced, giving the Boxster and Cayman even more agile and spontaneous steering behaviour.
2009 SRS Aerokit SpeedART Porsche Cayman
The wheels come in new designs and are half an inch wider on the Boxster and Cayman than in the past in order to accommodate the larger brake system from the S models on the front axle. All Boxster and Cayman models feature the latest generation of Porsche Stability Management (PSM), with two additional functions: Brake Pre-Loading and Brake Assistant.
2009 SRS Aerokit SpeedART Porsche Cayman
Whenever the driver lets go of the gas pedal very quickly – which is typical of an upcoming emergency braking manoeuvre – the PSM control unit builds up an appropriate level of pressure on the brakes before the driver even presses down the brake pedal, moving the brake pads slightly towards the discs, which significantly improves brake response and shortens stopping distances accordingly.
Norwegian imported for Porsche cars, Autozentrum Sport AS, has decided to decrease the output of the Boxster and Cayman, in exchange for reduced import taxation.
According to BilNorge, the entry-level Boxster will only produce 211 hp instead of 255 hp. Likewise, the Cayman will also be detuned to 211 hp (down from 265 hp).
While this sounds tragic, there is a logical explanation behind it. Norwegian import taxes are partially based on a car's horsepower and CO2 emission ratings. With the reduced output, the Boxster receives a stunning 88,000 Norwegian crown ($15,621 USD / €10,524) cut while the Cayman costs 106,000 crowns ($18,819 USD / €12,677) less.
Oddly enough, Porsche is claiming the weakened cars are just as fast as the usual models. A manually equipped Norwegian Boxster can run from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, while the Cayman can do the same task in 5.8 seconds (cars equipped with the PDK transmission are 0.1 seconds faster). The company also says the top speed remains unchanged (263 km/h for the Boxster, 265 km/h for the Cayman).
